IB Psychology SL 2025 Syllabus Update

1. Course Overview and Key Features

IB Psychology SL (Standard Level) is an introductory course in the behavioural sciences, designed to help students explore the scientific study of human behaviour. It is particularly suitable for students from non-science backgrounds. The course focuses on:

• Core psychological knowledge: Understanding the three main approaches—biological, cognitive, and sociocultural.
• Scientific inquiry: Developing the ability to design and evaluate simple experiments.
• Critical thinking: Learning to assess psychological studies and their implications.
• Ethical awareness: Recognising the ethical issues involved in psychological research.

Advantages of the SL Course

• 40% less coursework compared to HL
• Only basic statistics are required (mean, SD, etc.)
• No HL-level internal assessment (e.g., no additional qualitative research)
• Ideal for students not pursuing STEM fields

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2. IB Psychology SL Curriculum Structure (2025 Revision)

Core Approach	Key Topics	Famous Study Example
Biological Approach	Brain function and behaviour	Broca’s area and language
Cognitive Approach	Memory processes, decision making	Loftus and the misinformation effect
Sociocultural Approach	Group behaviour, cultural norms	Asch’s conformity experiment

Optional Topic (choose one):

• Health Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

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3. Assessment Breakdown and Exam Format

External Assessment – 75%

Paper	Duration	Format	Tips
Paper 1	1 hour	Short-answer questions on core units	Use the “SEE” structure: State → Explain → Example
Paper 2	1 hour	Essay on the optional topic	Prepare 2–3 versatile case studies

Internal Assessment – 25%

• Conduct a simple experimental study (e.g., Stroop effect)
• Write a 1,500–1,800-word report
• Must include basic statistics like mean and standard deviation

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4. Key Differences Between SL and HL

Aspect	SL	HL
Neuroscience depth	Basic brain regions and functions	Advanced methods like fMRI and EEG
Statistics	Descriptive statistics only	Requires inferential statistics
Research design	Simple experiments	More complex mixed-method designs
Total hours	150 hours	240 hours

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5. Effective Study Strategies

5.1 Mnemonics for Brain Functions

Use acronyms to remember brain parts:

• “HAPF” → Hippocampus (memory), Amygdala (fear), Prefrontal cortex (decision-making), Hypothalamus (hunger)

5.2 Report Writing Structure: IMRAD

mermaid複製編輯graph LR
I[Introduction] --> M[Method]
M --> R[Results]
R --> D[Discussion]

5.3 Critical Evaluation Framework: CRITIC

• Credibility
• Reliability
• Implications
• Transferability
• Interest conflicts
• Context

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6. Must-Have Study Resources

Resource Type	Example	Use Case
Textbook	IB Psychology SL Guide	Concept building
Video Content	Crash Course Psychology (YouTube)	Visualise theories
Report Templates	APA report examples	Format reference
Quiz Tools	Quizlet flashcards	Quick review of key terms

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7. Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

7.1 Confusing Theories?

→ Use comparison tables:

Approach	Key Idea	Method	Limitation
Biological	Behaviour = brain mechanisms	Brain scans	Ignores social context

7.2 Poor Experiment Design?

→ Checklist:

• Are operational definitions clear?
• Is there a control group?
• Are tools valid and reliable?

7.3 Fear of Statistics?

→ Use Excel to:

• Calculate mean, standard deviation
• Interpret p-values (<0.05)

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8. University and Career Applications

8.1 Higher Education Pathways

Psychology SL is advantageous when applying for social science majors such as:

• Education
• Human Resource Management
• Social Work

8.2 Career Opportunities

• Market Research Analyst
• User Experience Research Assistant
• Community Psychology Assistant

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9. Study Timeline

Phase	Main Goal	Success Indicator
Term 1	Build foundation in 3 core approaches	Can explain 10 classic studies
Term 2	Strengthen experimental design skills	Complete a mini-experiment report
Term 3	Enhance evaluation skills	Identify 3+ study limitations
Pre-exam Phase	Practice past papers	Achieve 5/8 average on short-answer tasks

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10. Traits of Top Scoring Students

Common Traits of 7-Point Students:

• Connect theories across different approaches
• Format reports using IMRAD structure
• Demonstrate awareness of research ethics

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Using common sense over academic explanation
• Ignoring cultural context of studies
• Incomplete or unclear data presentation

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Action Plan

• Create a “Theory vs Case Study” matching chart
• Analyze one psychology news story per week
• Join your school’s psychology club

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[Further Resources]

• Taiwan Psychology Association articles (in Chinese)
• Psychology and Life – Beginner-friendly textbook
• IB Official Marking Samples & Criteria

Note: All information above is for reference. For official details, visit the IB website: www.ibo.org
Draft content compiled and structured by AI. Edited by Prof. Chan Kwok Wai. Chief Editor: Ko Yi Leung.